Is reassessment of Computed Tomography Reports Worthwhile in Acute Diverticulitis?

INTRODUCTION: Since the assessment of the disease severity in acute diverticulitis (AD) is of utmost importance to determine the optimal treatment and the need for follow-up investigations, we wanted to investigate whether the first CT report is compatible with daytime reassessment report and whether the value of initial report changes according to the experience of the radiologist. METHODS: Consecutive patients from tertiary referral centre with AD were included. CT images done in the emergency department were initially analysed by either resident radiologists or consultant radiologists and then later reanalysed by consultant abdominal radiologists. Discrepancies between reports were noted. RESULTS: Of total of 562 patients with AD, CT images were reanalysed in 439 cases. In 22 reports (5.0%) the final report was significantly different from the initial report and management changed in 20 cases. In reports of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis, reanalysis changed initial assessment in 4.0% of the cases and in complicated acute diverticulitis (CAD) in 9.1%. When consultant and resident radiologists were compared, there was no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Although no statistical difference could be noted between residents and consultants, the final report was significantly different in overall 5% of the cases when reanalysed at normal working hours by an experienced consultant abdominal radiologist. Therefore, we conclude that reassessment of CT reports is worthwhile in AD.

Prevention of incisional hernia with retrorectus synthetic mesh versus biological mesh following loop ileostomy closure (Preloop trial).

BACKGROUND: The rate of incisional hernia after closure of a temporary loop ileostomy is significant. Synthetic meshes are still commonly avoided in contaminated wounds. The Preloop trial was a multicentre RCT designed to evaluate the benefits of synthetic mesh in incisional hernia prevention, and its safety for use in a contaminated surgical site compared with biological mesh. METHODS: Study patients who underwent closure of a loop ileostomy after anterior resection for rectal cancer were assigned to receive either retrorectus synthetic or biological mesh to prevent incisional hernia. The primary outcomes were surgical-site infections within 30 days, and clinical or radiological incisional hernia incidence at 10 months. Secondary outcomes were reoperation rate, operating time, duration of hospital stay, other complications within 30 days of surgery, 5-year quality of life measured by RAND-36, and incisional hernia incidence within 5 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Between November 2018 and September 2021, 102 patients were randomised, of whom 97 received the intended allocation. At 10-month follow-up, 90 patients had undergone clinical evaluation and 88 radiological evaluation. One patient in each group (2 per cent) had a clinical diagnosis of incisional hernia (P = 0.950) and one further patient in each group had a CT-confirmed incisional hernia (P = 0.949). The number of other complications, reoperation rate, operating time, and duration of hospital stay did not differ between the study groups. CONCLUSION: Synthetic mesh appeared comparable to biological mesh in efficacy and safety for incisional hernia prevention at the time of loop ileostomy closure. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03445936 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Risk for colorectal cancer after computed tomography verified acute diverticulitis: A retrospective cohort study with long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) can mimic acute diverticulitis and can thus be misdiagnosed. Therefore, colonic evaluation is recommended after an episode of acute diverticulitis. The aim of this study was to analyze the risk of CRC after computed tomography (CT) verified uncomplicated and complicated acute diverticulitis in short-term and, particularly, long-term follow-up to ensure the feasibility of the primary CT imaging in separating patients with uncomplicated and complicated acute diverticulitis. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients with CT-verified acute diverticulitis in 2003-2012. Data on CT findings and colonic evaluations were analyzed. The patients were divided into those with uncomplicated and complicated acute diverticulitis. Patient charts were reviewed 9-18 years after the initial acute diverticulitis episode. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 270 patients. According to CT scans, 170 (63%) patients had uncomplicated acute diverticulitis and 100 (37%) had complicated acute diverticulitis. Further colonic evaluation was made in 146 (54%) patients. In the whole study population, CRC was found in 7 (2.6%) patients, but CRC was associated with acute diverticulitis in only 4 (1.5%) patients. The short-term risk for CRC was 0.6% (1/170) in uncomplicated acute diverticulitis and 3.0% (3/100) in complicated acute diverticulitis. No additional CRC was found in patients with complicated acute diverticulitis during the long-term follow-up and three cases of CRC found after uncomplicated acute diverticulitis had no observable association with previous diverticulitis. CONCLUSIONS: In short-term follow-up, the risk of underlying CRC is very low in CT-verified uncomplicated acute diverticulitis but increased in complicated acute diverticulitis. Long-term follow-up revealed no additional CRCs associated with previous acute diverticulitis, indicating that the short-term results remain consistent also in the long run. These long-term results confirm that colonoscopy should be reserved for patients with complicated acute diverticulitis or with persisting or alarming symptoms.

Synthetic mesh versus biological mesh to prevent incisional hernia after loop-ileostomy closure: a randomized feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is a frequent complication after loop-ileostomy closure, rationalizing hernia prevention. Biological meshes have been widely used in contaminated surgical sites instead of synthetic meshes in fear of mesh related complications. However, previous studies on meshes does not support this practice. The aim of Preloop trial was to study the safety and efficacy of synthetic mesh compared to a biological mesh in incisional hernia prevention after loop-ileostomy closure. METHODS: The Preloop randomized, feasibility trial was conducted from April 2018 until November 2021 in four hospitals in Finland. The trial enrolled 102 patients with temporary loop-ileostomy after anterior resection for rectal cancer. The study patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either a light-weight synthetic polypropylene mesh (Parietene Macro™, Medtronic) (SM) or a biological mesh (Permacol™, Medtronic) (BM) to the retrorectus space at ileostomy closure. The primary end points were rate of surgical site infections (SSI) at 30-day follow-up and incisional hernia rate during 10 months' follow-up period. RESULTS: Of 102 patients randomized, 97 received the intended allocation. At 30-day follow-up, 94 (97%) patients were evaluated. In the SM group, 1/46 (2%) had SSI. Uneventful recovery was reported in 38/46 (86%) in SM group. In the BM group, 2/48 (4%) had SSI (p > 0.90) and in 43/48 (90%) uneventful recovery was reported. The mesh was removed from one patient in both groups (p > 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: Both a synthetic mesh and biological mesh were safe in terms of SSI after loop-ileostomy closure. Hernia prevention efficacy will be published after the study patients have completed the 10 months' follow-up.

Superior primary fascial closure rate and lower mortality after open abdomen using negative pressure wound therapy with continuous fascial traction.

BACKGROUND: Open abdomen (OA) is a useful option for treatment strategy in many acute abdominal catastrophes. A number of temporary abdominal closure (TAC) methods are used with limited number of comparative studies. The present study was done to examine risk factors for failed delayed primary fascial closure (DPFC) and risk factors for mortality in patients treated with OA. METHODS: This study was a multicenter retrospective analysis of the hospital records of all consecutive patients treated with OA during the years 2009 to 2016 at five tertiary referral hospitals and three secondary referral centers in Finland. RESULTS: Six hundred seventy-six patients treated with OA were included in the study. Vacuum-assisted closure with continuous mesh-mediated fascial traction (VACM) was the most popular TAC method used (N = 398, 59%) followed by VAC (N = 128, 19%), Bogota bag (N = 128, 19%), and self-designed methods (N = 22, 3%). In multivariate analysis, enteroatmospheric fistula and the number of needed TAC changes increased the risk for failed DPFC (odds ratio [OR], 8.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.2-12.8; p < 0.001 and OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.3; p < 0.001, respectively). Instead, VACM and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm as cause for OA both decreased the risk for failed DPFC (OR, 0.1; 95% CI, 0.0-0.3; p < 0.001 and OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.7; p = 0.012). The overall mortality rate was 30%. In multivariate analysis for mortality, multiorgan dysfunction (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.6-3.6; p < 0.001), and increasing age (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 2.0-9.7; p < 0.001) predicted increased mortality. Institutional large annual patient volume (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.3-0.6; p < 0.001) and ileus and postoperative peritonitis in comparison to severe acute pancreatitis associated with decreased mortality (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.4; p < 0.001; OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.8; p = 0.009). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed increased survival in patients treated with VACM in comparison with other TAC methods (LogRank p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: We report superior role for VACM methodology in terms of successful primary fascial closure and increased survival in patients with OA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level IV.